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From the Editor's Desk
Since the introduction of a reader "bulletin board" in May, 2002, the number
of people visiting The First Shot has increased dramatically. In
fact, in March, the odcmp.org site received 85,660 hits-a rate of over 2,700
hits per day. As a means of determining just who all these people are (and
what they are looking for when they come to our site), we ran an on-line
survey in the February-March issue.
508 readers responded to the survey. Their answers provided some important
insights into how both the CMP main web site (odcmp.com) and on-line magazine/bulletin
board (odcmp.org) have developed over time as communication tools.
Some background on the people who completed the survey:
- 79% are members of CMP-affiliated clubs
- Although over 20% said they are retired, the occupations of readers
covered an impressive range, from attorneys to truck drivers. They also
visited from all points from across the United States
- Over half (54%) are between the ages of 40 and 59. Over 30% are age
60 or older, including one respondent who simply listed himself as "old."
- During the past month, 45% visited the bulletin board only once or
twice. 25% visited the bulletin board five or more times. 9 respondents
answered that they visited the site at least once a day.
86 of 508 respondents marked that they were not presently members of a CMP-affiliated
club, and many of these non-members volunteered their e-mail addresses and
state of residence. Of these 86 respondents, 73 (85%) were interested in
purchasing historical firearms, 67 (78%) in having a reliable source for
replacement parts and equipment, 49 (57%) in attending Small Arms Firing
Schools and other instructional/firearm safety programs, and (52%) in competing
in regional marksmanship events.
Only 131 of the 508 respondents (26%) marked that they are interested in
junior marksmanship programs. The percentage interested in junior marksmanship
programs goes up among respondents who have children (75 of 201, or 37%).
One of the things the bulletin board isn't apparently used for is contact
with friends-of the 508 readers who completed the on-line survey, only 15
(3%) use it to make or keep "contact with friends." Based on survey results,
readers have far more practical reasons for their usage-69% use the bulletin
board as a source of "information on availability of collectible firearms,"
and 68% see it as a source of "maintenance and repair tips."
Mike Wallace is President of Spectrum Research & Consulting, and
holds a PhD in Mass Communications from Florida State University. Dr. Wallace
serves as editor of The First Shot. He can be reached at spectrumresearch@earthlink.net.
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